Unstressed words in a sentence

Stress count

Notice that even though the number of words in the following sentences are different, the number of stressed syllables is the same.

ˈKids ˈeat ˈice.
The ˈkids ˈeat ˈice.
The ˈkids are ˈeating ˈice.
The ˈkids are ˈeating some ˈice.
The ˈkids are ˈeating some ˈice cream.
The ˈkids are ˈeating some ˈice cream with me.
The ˈkids will be ˈeating some ˈice cream with me.

ˈDon’t ˈfeed ˈbears.
ˈDon’t ˈfeed the ˈbears.
ˈDon’t ˈfeed them the ˈbears.
ˈDon’t ˈfeed them to the ˈbears.
You ˈdon’t ˈfeed them to the ˈbears.
You ˈdon’t want to ˈfeed them to the ˈbears.
You ˈdon’t want to ˈfeed them to the ˈbears now.

Differentiating unstressed words

Listen to the unstressed words in the following sentences:

(Sentences taken from Manual of American English Pronunciation by Prator and Robinett.)

I’m gonna be good.
I’m going to church.
What have we gotta eat?
What have we got to eat?
What does she hafta say?
What does she have to say?
It’s what he hasta do.
It’s all he has to work with.
This is what you usta cook with.
This is what you used to cook with.
How much do you wanna do it?
How much does he want to do it?

Sentences based on Manual of American English by Prator and Robinett

A word of caution

Wanna, gonna, gotta and the others are spoken English and informal written English. You shouldn’t use them to write in formal or academic settings. You may see them in informal settings like pop songs, text messages between friends, or movie subtitles.

Be careful of being too informal

‘wʌʤjə’du
‘waɪonʔjə’seɪt
‘ʤiʔ’jɛʔ noʊ ʤju

Which means

What did you do?
Why don’t you say it?
Did you eat yet? No, did you?

Homework

Assignment 1

This is the final exam dialog. Mark the stressed words according to the rules.

Good morning, Susan. Where are you going?
Hi, Mrs. Jones! I’m going to the store.
I need to go, too. Let’s go together.
Sounds good. Are you buying food?
Yes. I want to get something healthy for my family.
Will you get fruit or vegetables?
Yes, but there’s a problem.
My kids don’t like vegetables, and my husband doesn’t like fruit.
So will you get fruit or vegetables?
I think I’ll get both: apples, bananas, carrots, and tomatoes.
You have two kids, don’t you?
Yes. Two boys.
I’m sure they eat a lot, don’t they?
That’s for sure. They eat more than my husband does.
How often do you have to go shopping?
About twice a week.
Do you usually walk to the store?
No, I usually drive to the store.
Well, here we are.

Assignment 2

Find one minute of audio speaking from a native speaker. Transcribe it in IPA.